Wills House Virtual Identity: Lieutenant Henry Minnigh

Lieutenant Henry Minnigh, Co. K, 1st PA Reserves

NPS

You have selected to discover the story of Lieutenant Henry Minnigh

To Begin. . .
Read the “Before the War” section below and then proceed to the next room in the Wills House and return to page when prompted.

 

Before The War

The son of Henry and Elizabeth Minnigh, Henry was born in April 1838, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. At age 20 in July 1858, he married Elizabeth J. Eppleman. Together, the couple had at least three children, though sadly their first born, a son named William, died at age 1 in 1860. By the outbreak of the Civil War, Henry Minnigh was living with his family in Gettysburg where he was employed as a teacher. Following the attack on Fort Sumter he volunteered his services and helped to recruit a number of local men. Together, they set off for West Chester, Pennsylvania, where they became a part of Company K, of the 1st Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry. A monument to Company K and the over 2,000 Adams County residents who enlisted is located just across Baltimore Street from the David Wills home.

From Here:
You can return to Minnigh’s story after touring the first floor of the home to find out more about his Civil War service, including Company K’s return to Gettysburg in July 1863.

 

During The War

Upon enlistment into the army, Henry Minnigh was first appointed a sergeant and then later promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in June 1862. After serving through the Peninsula and Seven Days’ Campaigns outside of Richmond, Lieutenant Minnigh was wounded in the upper arm at the Battle of South Mountain in September 1862. He was treated at a field hospital where a part of his arm was removed. After a lengthy convalescence, Minnigh returned to his company in March 1863 and was again promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. Several months later, Minnigh and his company fought at the Battle of Gettysburg, being engaged in combat near Little Round Top and the Wheatfield. While here, he was able to pay a brief visit to his wife and children, parents and siblings at the home on the northeast corner of West Middle and South Washington Streets (one block from David Wills’ home). He explained that after supper “all retired to their comfortable beds, of which they had been deprived for two nights, and I had not enjoyed for two years.”

From Here:
Find out what happened to Minnigh later in the war after you have toured the second floor of the house.

 

After The War

Minnigh remained in the army until honorably discharged in June 1864 at the rank of Captain, having served a three-year term of service. Following the Civil War, he worked for a few years as a clerk in the United States War Department before returning to Gettysburg and to the classroom as a teacher. In 1871 he answered a different calling and entered the ministry. He became a pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church and until his retirement in 1906 served more than a dozen congregations in Pennsylvania. He also wrote about his wartime experiences and in 1891 his book, The History of Company K was published. Captain Henry Minnigh died of heart disease at age 77 in November 1915. His remains were laid to rest in the Gettysburg National Cemetery.